or Do Pirates Like Snow?
Some of the many imponderables uttered by my children.
This is going to be my record of life (because I don't scrapbook, never kept baby books, and have a horrible memory) and the things that happen as a not-so-patient stay-at-home-mom. I'm trying to deepen my faith, but hoping life doesn't cover me in mud.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Super Busy Weekend

Saturday, I drove down to Winneconne - about 70 miles one way - to judge forensics.

I love this time of year. I have 9 meets scheduled to judge for during February and March.

I got to judge Prose, Solo Acting Serious, and Demonstration. During power round, I judged Play Acting. There were some very polished performances and some people, who unfortunately, didn't care. Well, when you perform in front of me, effort means a lot, even if I don't like the selection. If you have the greatest piece and then put no effort forth, you will not get a high score.

After judging, I met my "baby" brother in Oshkosh to take him out to dinner. (I say baby only because he is 14 years younger than me - but probably weighs in about 325 and is 6'1") He kind of has the Grizzly Adams thing going on right now with the scruffy hair and beard, but we had a really nice visit.

Friday night, to back up a little, K went to the neighbor's and spent the night. Bug went to Grandma and Grandpa's house overnight. Fixit, Bob, and I went to Burger King and went shopping. She didn't know what to do with Mom and Dad by herself.

Then, on to Sunday. Didn't do much besides babysit the smoker. I was smoking the 3 types of Canadian bacon that had been curing all week. Bob brought home a wild turkey breast from a friend at work, so we smoked that, too. We also ground up a 4# pork rump roast that I had cut off the bone and cut into pieces. From that, we added the spices and ran the meat through the sausage stuffer that Dad is letting us borrow. We made our our sweet Italian sausage. Recipe didn't have fennel - it's been added to the cookbook. We cooked up the extra meat and used that in our spaghetti for lunch. Very good. I even did a reasonable job keeping the links even.

This could become addictive - and cheaper than buying brats and other meat. Only problem, is that the house still smells like smoke, which gives me a headache. So, even though it is only 25F outside and windy, we had windows open and fans going this morning. (No, didn't smoke the meat inside, but just bringing it in the house - along with the racks and drip pan from the smoker filled the house with the smell.) It gave Bug a headache, too.

Courtesy of the kids, I have a ton of pictures. I just need to get them uploaded from the camera and I'll probably do a picture-heavy post later.

My Etsy Shop

About Me

Hi, My name is Traci. I'm married to my college sweetie. We literally met in college chemistry, so the chemistry has always been there! We have been married for 13 years with three beautiful girls, ages 8, 5, and 3 and two angel boys. Our girls are K, almost 9, who attends the local Catholic grade school and is in 3rd grade. Daughter #2 is Bug, age 5; she is attending the local public school in their brand new 4K program. Daughter #3 is Fixit - age 3. She stays at home with me during the day and is my "helper."
I'm a stay-at-home-mom, but it wasn't a willing transition from the working world. But, I don't know if it will be a willing transition back to the working world when I can make it back. I'm really enjoying staying at home with my kids and being there to help the neighbors out by watching their kids when they get off the bus.
I'm trying to become a better Catholic wife and mother. This will be my 2nd year teaching 7th grade Cathechism class - I volunteered and they gave me the hard grade. I survived the first year, so I'll be back to try it again this year.
I love to cook, have been crazy busy doing all my canning, and love to craft.